Global Poker is excited to announce the launch of its first ever Global Poker Celebrity Challenge offering amazing prizes and donations to charities.
Launching on 18 September, players will have the chance to show off their skills against some of the biggest names in the game.
The dramatic challenge, which runs from 18 September to 13 November, will feature basketball superstars Paul George and Karl-Anthony Towns, legendary athlete Michael Phelps, and master of beats, DJ Khaled.
As well as four celebrity heads-up challenges where each celebrity plays against the other, there will also be four Celebrity Challenge Finals where Global Poker players will get to compete against each of the celebrity poker stars. Global Poker will be releasing footage on GlobalPoker.com. Before each celebrity showdown, Global Poker will also be launching a series of Sweeps Coin qualifying events for Global Poker players to participate in.
David Lyons, General Manager of Global Poker, said: “For many of our players, Global Poker has been the best kept secret in the poker world for some time. We see this challenge as a great opportunity to bring our unique and authentic poker experience to a wider audience, and are thrilled to have these amazing athletes and musicians on board.”
WHAT PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW – AND CAN WIN!
In a nutshell, four celebrities will play a series of heads-up games against each other on Global Poker from 18 September until 13 November. Each celebrity will challenge the next to a heads-up poker battle. Whoever wins the best of three then donates $10,000 to a charity of their choice.
NBA player Paul George said he planned to support the American Heart Association because it “holds a special place in my heart” after his mother had a stroke when he was a child, which “greatly affected” him.
“So this will allow me to help other stroke victims,” he said.
He added that he was looking forward to playing DJ Khaled as a “big fan of his” and his top tip for poker players was “don’t forget to enjoy the memories and moments you share while playing”.
There will be eight qualifiers in total for each Celebrity Challenge. Players who make it through the Sweeps Coin Qualifiers will compete for the chance to win a slice of the prize pool, exclusive Global Poker swag signed by none other than the celebrity poker stars themselves, and to secure a place in the Celebrity Challenge Final, where they’ll get to play against one of the celebs.
Each celebrity will host their own Celebrity Final Challenge (so four in total). One player from each Qualifier will go through to the Final. Those eight Finalists get to battle it out against each other and one celebrity, for a chance to win a place in the Global Poker Celebrity Challenge Grand Final on 12 November.
They will compete for a chance to win a rather special Ferrari Race Day experience of their choice in North America.
The four celebs will be dealt a slightly different hand — they’ll get to battle it out against each other in the Celebrity Challenge Grand Final on 13 November. Only one celebrity can claim the top spot, but the top three winners will donate $90,000 between them to charities of their choice.
All donations will be funded by Global Poker.
Make sure you’re registered with Global Poker for the chance to battle it out against the best. For more information, the full tournament schedules and to register, head to GlobalPoker.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Paul George Celebrity Challenge | 19 September – 1 October |
Karl-Anthony Towns Celebrity Challenge | 3 – 15 October |
Michael Phelps Celebrity Challenge | 16 – 29 October |
DJ Khaled Celebrity Challenge | 31 October – 12 November |
Global Poker Player Celebrity Challenge Grand Final | 12 November |
Celebrity Challenge Grand Final | 13 November |